Individual Worth #7

Heavenly Father has given you special gifts. Read the following scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-12
• 1 Corinthians 13
• Moroni 7:12-13
• Moroni 10:8-18
• Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-26

 Ask a family member, a young women leader, and a friend to write down positive qualities the Lord has given you.

Positive Qualities from a Family Member...
When I think of you and your positive attributes one of the first things that comes to my mind is that you are a caring person. You really care about others and want what is best for them. You are a hard worker and give 100% to any job or task. You are organized and keep a neat and clean house. You have a great sense of humor and are fun to be around. You are able to be a leader or a follower, which cannot be said about everyone. You don't have to be in charge, but can be when called upon to do so. You have a testimony of the gospel and are willing to share it with others. You are intelligent and did well in school. You set goals and work towards accomplishing them. You are a good wife. You have a way with children; they seem to flock to you. You have many gifts and talents. I love you very much!! (Mom)

Positive Qualities from a Young Women Leader...

You have never "lost it" with all of the stress of planning for camp, that is an amazing quality.  You ar very close to the spirit and it shows through when talking about anything.  Your love for the girls and sincere concern for them is very apperant.  And, you're fun!  You can bring the spirit in a t approriate times, but you can also let your hair down and have a good time too.  It's been fun working with you! (Jill Hellstrom)

Positive Qualities from a Friend...

 I'm glad you asked me to do this after camp because I feel like I know you so much better now. These are what I see as some of your positive qualities: your willingness to serve, your organization skills, your ability to feel the Spirit and share that with others, you are always willing to listen to other's opinions or problems, your leadership skills, you are a good friend, you love your husband, you try to see the best in others, your sense of humor, you are a good sister/daughter/aunt, you influence those around you for good, your great sense of style, you have good insight into why things happen the way they do, you are a good teacher. You obviously have many more positive qualities, but this is a pretty good list, so I'll stop there. I really enjoyed getting to know you better at camp. (Jen Mattson)

Journal- How can I continue to develop these gifts and use them to serve my family and others?
     There are many things I can do to continue to develop my gifts and use them to help others.  First of all, I can read my patriarchal blessing often to help gain insight into the gifts I have and ways to develop them.  Second, I can make sure that I take time to develop my talents. I can try new things and use the skills I already have to progress in new areas.  I can also be more willing to serve others and give more of my time to help others. 
     Another thing is to overcome my fear of using my talents.  I need to step out of my comfort zone. The Lord said: “With some I am not well pleased, for … they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. … And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have” (D&C 60:2–3). Overcoming our fear is never easy to do, but the Lord has given us some counsel that can help: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). If we are prepared, we usually feel confident that we can do what we have prepared ourselves to do. Such confidence overcomes fear.
     Finally, I think I need to seek the Lord's help through prayer.  As I pray for knowledge about my talents, I can also ask Heavenly Father for opportunities to develop my talents.  He can also give me the strength to use my talents and work to develop them.